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Donate to a Scholarship Fund

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering  Scholarships

To donate to any of these scholarship funds, or if you would like to make a donation to the Western Folklife Center in the name of a family member or loved one, please contact Cleo Hansen at 775-738-7508, extension 221 or email at chansen@westernfolklife.org

   Della Johns Scholarship   In 1995, friends of Della Johns established the Della Johns Scholarship to recognize and support the participation of women poets at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering . Della was born in Elko in 1913 to Frank and Margaret Baker, who homesteaded and raised a family in the Gold Creek area of northeastern Nevada. Della attended a country school with one teacher for all eight grades. When Della and her brother entered high school in Elko, her family moved into town. She entered nursing in 1938, and worked in the field for nearly 40 years. She owned and managed the first nursing home in Elko and assisted in hundreds of births at the Elko General Hospital. After retiring, she painted, wrote children's stories, and helped found Elko's Cowboy Poetry Gathering . Della passed away in 2001. Her humorous and poignant poems of ranch life reflected her own experiences.

   Della Johns Scholarship

 

In 1995, friends of Della Johns established the Della Johns Scholarship to recognize and support the participation of women poets at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Della was born in Elko in 1913 to Frank and Margaret Baker, who homesteaded and raised a family in the Gold Creek area of northeastern Nevada. Della attended a country school with one teacher for all eight grades. When Della and her brother entered high school in Elko, her family moved into town. She entered nursing in 1938, and worked in the field for nearly 40 years. She owned and managed the first nursing home in Elko and assisted in hundreds of births at the Elko General Hospital. After retiring, she painted, wrote children's stories, and helped found Elko's Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Della passed away in 2001. Her humorous and poignant poems of ranch life reflected her own experiences.

          Singin' Sam Agins          and Frederica Agins               Scholarship          The Agins family began this scholarship in 2004 to honor Singin’ Sam by bringing a young poet or musician to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering each year. Best known as a cowboy folksinger and poet, Singin' Sam Agins dedicated his life to the preservation of the songs, stories, humor, poetry and crafts of the cowboy and American West. Born in 1919 in Denver, Colorado, without the use of his legs, Sam never let that handicap stand in his way. When he was a young child, the family moved to California, where he learned to braid and tool leather, ride and rope, and play the guitar from local workers and cowboys he admired. Sam married Frederica in 1957 and the couple had two sons. Sam passed away in 1996. When Frederica Agins passed away in 2012, the family added her name to the scholarship.

          Singin' Sam Agins
         and Frederica Agins
              Scholarship         

The Agins family began this scholarship in 2004 to honor Singin’ Sam by bringing a young poet or musician to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering each year. Best known as a cowboy folksinger and poet, Singin' Sam Agins dedicated his life to the preservation of the songs, stories, humor, poetry and crafts of the cowboy and American West. Born in 1919 in Denver, Colorado, without the use of his legs, Sam never let that handicap stand in his way. When he was a young child, the family moved to California, where he learned to braid and tool leather, ride and rope, and play the guitar from local workers and cowboys he admired. Sam married Frederica in 1957 and the couple had two sons. Sam passed away in 1996. When Frederica Agins passed away in 2012, the family added her name to the scholarship.

          Rod McQueary and        Sue Wallis Scholarship Elko native Rod McQueary wrote poetry regarding ranch life that ranged from cleverly subtle to gut-busting hilarious. Married for 18 years, Rod and Sue Wallis were both raised on ranches and wrote based on their personal experiences. They were involved with the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering from its earliest days. After Rod passed away in 2012, the Rod McQueary scholarship was established to bring emerging poets, writers, reciters and musicians to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering each year. Sue, a gifted and talented poet and writer, passed away in 2014.  To honor her, the scholarship was renamed the Rod McQueary and Sue Wallis Scholarship. The future of the Gathering is ensured by bringing more talented young people aboard to preserve and perpetuate ranch culture.

          Rod McQueary and
       Sue Wallis Scholarship


Elko native Rod McQueary wrote poetry regarding ranch life that ranged from cleverly subtle to gut-busting hilarious. Married for 18 years, Rod and Sue Wallis were both raised on ranches and wrote based on their personal experiences. They were involved with the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering from its earliest days. After Rod passed away in 2012, the Rod McQueary scholarship was established to bring emerging poets, writers, reciters and musicians to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering each year. Sue, a gifted and talented poet and writer, passed away in 2014.  To honor her, the scholarship was renamed the Rod McQueary and Sue Wallis Scholarship. The future of the Gathering is ensured by bringing more talented young people aboard to preserve and perpetuate ranch culture.

Scholarships are adjudicated and administered by the Western Folklife Center. Gifts in any amount made to the Western Folklife Center are gladly accepted to all scholarships, helping to supplement the donor’s generosity to support poets, writers and reciters at the Gathering for years to come.  

The Western Folklife Center is a non-profit 501c(3) organization based in Elko, Nevada. Please consult with your attorney or tax advisor for the various tax benefits and restrictions that may apply to any contribution to the Western Folklife Center on behalf of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. No goods or services will be provided in exchange for your contribution.

 

Photo credits:
Della Johns, courtesy of Ginger Manley
Singin' Sam Agins, courtesy of the Agins Family
Rod McQueary and Sue Wallis, photographer unknown